Europe's answer to AI regulation complexity is to just delay most of it

The European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the EU have agreed on simpler rules for artificial intelligence.

The deal is based on the "Digital Omnibus on AI," a legislative package that bundles several amendments to the existing AI Act. Rules for AI systems in areas like biometrics, critical infrastructure, education, and migration won't take effect until December 2027, while rules for AI in products like "lifts" or toys are pushed back to August 2028. AI systems that generate sexually explicit content without consent, including so-called "nudification" apps, are now explicitly banned.

Small and medium-sized enterprises with up to 750 employees and 150 million euros in revenue will get some relief, including reduced registration and documentation requirements along with better access to regulatory sandboxes - test environments where companies can try out AI under real-world conditions.